• Here is a picture of Noel. She seems very large…she weighed in at 30 lbs at her last vet visit. Anyone else have a big girl like her?

    attachment_t_8029_0_noel-2010.jpg
    attachment_t_8029_1_noel-newest.jpg


  • I don't wonder if she is not a Basenji mix? She is really large for a Basenji since bitches are typically around 20 to 23lbs and 16"'s tall at the back? Did she come from a breeder?


  • Can you repost the 1st pic larger - the one where she is facing sideways. That one is really small. Oh, and just curious, but is she AKC registered?


  • She looks to me like she may be a mix - I have a mix who weighed 32 when I got her - down to 30 now, her body style is a little different from my full B, who weighs 22, and is about what she should weigh.


  • It is possible she's full-blood…some grow exceptionally large while others grow into dwarves. Not that it matters. Not all purebred dogs are physically perfect. (AJ's not...he has crooked teeth.) She's a beautiful big girl and probably makes an excellent pet, as your trust with her and small children shows.


  • I completely agree with AJ Human…I've been obsessing for months about Sonny's weight because everyone tells me he's too big for a basenji. He weighs 30 pounds too. He's not overfeed, gets plenty of excercise and has checked out complelely healthy. He's full-blooded from a good breeder. so I've come to the conclusion he's perfect the way he is!!


  • Noel looks like a slim 30 pounds. This is extremely large for a basenji female. I have never seen a basenji bitch that weighed 30 pounds at good weight. I have seen some large basenji boys who weighed in at 30 pounds.


  • I have papers on her and she was sold as a pure breed. I will try to post a bigger picture.


  • Is she AKC (American Kennel Club) registered. Have you checked her pedigree on Sally Wallis's site - http://www.pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com/

    I have never seen a Basenji bitch that large and I agree with lvoss, she is certainly not overweight.. As lvoss said I have seen males that are large and 30lbs. My OJ was in good show weight 29lbs


  • Dogs can have gigantism same as humans. In humans it is caused by excessive growth hormone. I would imagine it is just as rare in dogs as in humans, which would explain why you haven't seen it.


  • Can you tell us what her purebred paperwork says, re sire/dam?


  • @AJs:

    Dogs can have gigantism same as humans. In humans it is caused by excessive growth hormone. I would imagine it is just as rare in dogs as in humans, which would explain why you haven't seen it.

    Well, I am going to have to disagree with you here… Not that she is not a nice dog, I am sure she is... I would just question her parentage. Just my opinion


  • Why do some folks always have to bust everyone's chops about the heritage of their dogs? I thought this site was for all Basenji owners in order to exchange information, not just to compare purebreds and perfect show dogs.


  • AJ, I didn't see anyone "busting" chops. At least, I didn't read it that way.


  • One of the reasons people get purebred dogs is because they want predictability in traits. Yes, there is a range within every breed but there is also a point where the traits fall outside that range and may suggest mixed heritage. Mixed heritage does not make a dog lesser in anyway but it does mean that other traits may also fall outside the range expected for the breed, this means health, temperament, conformation.

    If the dog was sold with AKC papers it could also mean that the breeder may have committed fraud representing a mixed breed as a purebred. It has happened where breeders with multiple breeds will have an "oops" between two dogs not of the same breed or may not have even realized that their bitch was bred by multiple males and they then represent those puppies as purebreds. When brought to the attention of AKC they can fine the breeder, suspend priviledges, and void registration papers if DNA confirms that the puppies are not of the parents represented. I have even seen people on the court shows with small claims cases for return of money because the dogs were not as represented by the breeder.


  • @AJs:

    Why do some folks always have to bust everyone's chops about the heritage of their dogs? I thought this site was for all Basenji owners in order to exchange information, not just to compare purebreds and perfect show dogs.

    Wow, I hope you didn't feel that way when I asked about AJ since I had never seen a "lazy tail" before….

    I have to agree with sharronhurlbut, I didn't pick up on any chop busting.


  • I have to agree with the others - I don't see where anyone was busting anyone's chops about the heritage of their dog. At least IMHO.

    The OP asked if anyone had a bitch that was 30lbs. Not only did no one say they had a bitch that size, long time breeders and breed knowledgeable people chimed in saying they had never seen or heard of a bitch that size. I see nothing wrong with that. Also, IMHO, the question about AKC registration is valid - it is a pure-bred dog registration, so one would wonder if the dog in question was AKC registered or registered in one of the other registries and could it possibly be a mix - seems like a natural progression in conversation to me. Knowing the difference can make help and advice with behavior and health issues a little easier.

    There are lots of basenji mixes on this board - I don't see members of this forum treat their owners any different than if they have a pure bred basenji.


  • @AJs:

    Why do some folks always have to bust everyone's chops about the heritage of their dogs? I thought this site was for all Basenji owners in order to exchange information, not just to compare purebreds and perfect show dogs.

    The question was asked about the size of this particular dog. Many of us responded that we have never seen one that large and questioned that maybe this was a mix. Has nothing to do with "perfect" show dog? Not sure where you come up with that.
    As pointed out, maybe this breeder was not honest and had papers "around" for two Basenjis and used them on this particular litter. Or maybe it was registration from one of the many other registery that are used.


  • I may have misunderstood the grounds for the question. Didn't mean to sound offensive, all. With the exception of Noel's size and the shape of her tail, she looks very Basenji to me. I think she's a pretty girl. 🙂

    Y'all are right: DNA would be the definitive proof of her heritage.


  • @AJs:

    I may have misunderstood the grounds for the question. Didn't mean to sound offensive, all. With the exception of Noel's size and the shape of her tail, she looks very Basenji to me. I think she's a pretty girl. 🙂

    Y'all are right: DNA would be the definitive proof of her heritage.

    It is more the shape of her head to me, along with the way the tail is set, that and the size. And I think the reason that we are all questioning her parentage is because if this person was sold a purebred and that is not what they have, then as lvoss stated the breeder committed fraud.

    Has nothing to do with the pup at all, as all are welcome, purebreds and mixes…

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